Red Light Devices Can Get You in More Trouble
Growing demand for devices that can cover your license plates have to be used legally
New technology will cover your license plate but is it legal?
"Most of the time we go to car shows and we take out the license plate because everyone is trying to take a picture of the car and your plate is something personal," said Chico Kim, at Transformers Auto in Hialeah.
Kim has the latest in auto technology, a nice little device that covers your tag and it has a dim that completely covers the license plate. It goes black and then it goes back on so you can see the license plate, when you want to.
With communities like Fort Lauderdale installing cameras to catch drivers running red lights, and so many drivers complaining they have been unfairly cited, some are now looking for a way to protect themselves from what they see as an injustice.
Enforcement of the Lauderdale red light cameras went into effect this week, and an infraction will cost you a whopping $158.
Kim made it clear that the devices he sells have to be used legally.
"It's for personal use and I don't recommend you to be on the street when you're driving and have your license plate covered like that." said Kim.
Florida law plainly requires that all six of your digits on your license plate must be visible.
"The sales pitch on these is for auto shows...these are not road worthy," said Hialeah Police officer Carl Zogby.
He says that if you think you can circumvent the cameras by hiding your license plate you can buy yourself more trouble than a red light ticket.
"They're illegal for you to use on a public street or roadway. You can't install one of these devices and be turning it on and off," Zogby said.
Zogby told us that its a criminal offense and could get you arrested.
These covers cost $500 and Chico Kim is the only one in the southeast that has these in stock.
Now if you want information on how these covers work and how they can be legally used you can check them out yourself at TricParts.com and for more information about Chico Kim's company you can visit TransformersAuto.com.
Posted Thursday, Sep 9, 2010 - 7:54 AM EST
